Honoring Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez (CA) and Actress Kellie Martin
Gala to raise funds for the Scleroderma Foundation, Southern California Chapter
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LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 13th Annual "Key to a Cure" Gala takes place Saturday, November 7, at the Manhattan Beach Marriott. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Scleroderma Foundation, Southern California Chapter.
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(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091022/DC97406)
California Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez will be given the "Key to a Cure" award for her outstanding contribution and dedication to the Scleroderma Foundation. Other awardees include actress Kellie Martin, Drs. John A. Belperio and Holly Hauser, and Scleroderma Board Member Joe Wetter and his wife, Arline.
Congresswoman Sanchez has been working with the Scleroderma Foundation since 2007, after she secured a spot for 13-year-old scleroderma patient Cynthia Cervantes to testify before Congress to help the young girl spread awareness about this autoimmune disease. Touched by the outlook of a patient, Sanchez has since been dedicated to helping the foundation in their search for a cure.
"It's great to have such a powerful supporter of our cause," commented Brian Adams, Executive Director of the Scleroderma Foundation, California Chapter. "We hope the community will look to her leadership and join her in the fight against scleroderma."
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour and a silent auction, followed by the awards dinner and live auction at 7 p.m. Dancing and entertainment will be provided by the Wayne Foster Group.
About Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a chronic, often progressive, autoimmune disease in which one's own immune system attacks the body.
Scleroderma can cause a thickening and tightening of the skin. In the systemic form of the disease, often called systemic sclerosis, scarring (or sclerosis) causes serious damage to the internal organs, including the lungs, heart, kidneys, esophagus and gastrointestinal tract. As scarring of these organs and organ systems progress, they work less effectively and can lead to organ failure and death.
Some medications and treatments can help with certain symptoms, but there is still no cure for the disease, which affects about 300,000 people in the United States. (By way of comparison, approximately the same number of people are affected with multiple sclerosis.)
About the Scleroderma Foundation, Southern California Chapter
The Los Angeles-based Scleroderma Foundation, Southern California Chapter, is part of the national Scleroderma Foundation, which is based in metropolitan Boston, MA. Its mission is to provide peer-to-peer patient support services, educational programs, and raise funds to support the Foundation's research and awareness programs.
For more information about the disease and the Scleroderma Foundation, Southern California Chapter, or the 13th( )Annual "Key to a Cure" Gala, visit www.sclerodermasocal.org or call (310) 477-8225.
The event will be held at the Manhattan Beach Marriott, 1400 Parkview Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA, 90266.
For information about the National Scleroderma Foundation visit www.scleroderma.org
CONTACT: Brian Adams - Executive Director Scleroderma Foundation Southern California Chapter (310) 477 8225 [email protected]
SOURCE Scleroderma Foundation
